Will Kerala CM be decided today? Talks in Delhi enter final phase

New Delhi: Discussions to decide Kerala’s next Chief Minister have entered the final stage in Delhi. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge are set to meet senior Congress leaders from Kerala today. Following these talks aimed at resolving the deadlock over the Chief Minister’s post, an official announcement is expected either tonight or tomorrow morning.

Former KPCC presidents K Muraleedharan, VM Sudheeran, MM Hassan and K Sudhakaran have reached Delhi for the discussions. Along with them, working presidents Shafi Parambil, PC Vishnunath, AP Anil Kumar and disciplinary committee chairman Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan have also been summoned by the High Command. Senior leader AK Antony has reportedly conveyed his stand to the leadership over the phone.

Reports suggest that a majority of MLAs are backing KC Venugopal for the Chief Minister’s post. However, coalition partners Indian Union Muslim League and Kerala Congress are firmly supporting VD Satheesan. The Muslim League argues that Satheesan played a key role in the UDF’s electoral victory. The Congress High Command is also unwilling to take a unilateral decision that could upset the League.

There is growing dissatisfaction among party workers and the public as no decision has been made even a week after the election results were declared. The High Command is reportedly viewing the ongoing flex-board wars and slogan campaigns on the streets seriously. It is in this context that all senior leaders have been called to Delhi for consultations.

Even eight days after the election results were announced on May 4, Congress has failed to finalise the Chief Minister, turning the delay into a major embarrassment for the party. Social media has been flooded with trolls. Within the party too, there is criticism that any further delay in announcing the Chief Minister could prove politically damaging.

Opposition parties, including the CPM, have intensified their attacks on Congress over the issue. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party has elevated the matter into a national campaign issue, accusing Congress of being interested only in power struggles rather than governance and public responsibility.

At the same time, the Congress High Command is attempting to create a sense that all leaders have been heard before announcing the Chief Minister as a collective decision. The central leadership believes this approach could help prevent internal disputes within the party.